Disability

Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating against and requires affirmative action for qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of employment. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance and in federally conducted programs. Section 188 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in any WIA Title I-financially assisted program or activity. This law is enforced by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP).

Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits employers of 15 or more workers, employment agencies, and labor organizations of 15 or more workers from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities.

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits state and local governments from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in programs, activities, and services.

Section 188 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities who are applicants, employees, and participants in WIA Title I-financially assisted programs and activities, and programs that are part of the One-Stop system. Section 188 also prohibits discrimination on the grounds of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation or belief, and for beneficiaries only, citizenship or participation in a WIA Title I-financially assisted program or activity. This law is enforced by the Civil Rights Center.

Additional information on topics relevant to the people with disabilities can be found within the Disability Resources topic.

DOL Web Pages on This Topic

Section 503 Fact Sheet
Section 503 covers persons with a wide range of mental and physical impairments that substantially limit or restrict a major life activity such as hearing, seeing, speaking, walking, breathing, performing manual tasks, caring for one's self, learning or working.

Civil Rights Center (CRC)
Monitors and enforces Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 for applicants and employees of the Department of Labor. The Civil Rights Center also enforces nondiscrimination requirements in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance and federally conducted programs. CRC also enforces Title II, Subpart A of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 for all programs, services and regulatory activities relating to labor and the workforce.

Disability Online
One-top center for information relating to issues and training for people with disabilities in the workforce.